Deputy Kills Armed Drunk-driving Suspect

A Broward sheriff`s deputy shot and killed a drunk-driving suspect being taken to a testing site on Wednesday night after the suspect pulled a gun as the squad car cruised down Interstate 95.

The suspect, identified only as a 42-year-old Broward County man, had a .32- caliber revolver that was missed during a pat-down by Deputy Dan Jackowski during a traffic stop in Deerfield Beach, Sheriff`s Office spokesman Maj. Ralph Page said.

Jackowski was taking the suspect to the Sheriff`s Office ``Batmobile`` at Cypress Creek Road and I-95 when the shooting occurred about 9 p.m.

The suspect was handcuffed with his hands behind his back when he pulled the gun near Sample Road, Page said.

Jackowski slowed, began pulling over to the shoulder and picked up his radio to call for backup, Page said. The suspect told the deputy to drop the radio. Jackowski jammed on the brakes, causing the suspect to lurch forward in his seat.

``He (Jackowski) rolled out of the car and came up shooting,`` Page said.

Several shots were fired, and both rear windows of the squad car were blown out. It was not known if the suspect fired his revolver, which was found next to the body, cocked and ready to fire, Page said.

The suspect died in the back seat of the squad car while paramedics worked on him.

Jackowski is a graduate of Deerfield Beach High School and was a member of the city police department`s Explorer club as a youth. He was a city police officer when the Sheriff`s Office took over the department in January 1990. He is in his mid-20s.

Jackowski has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.